Chadp Loc: Virginia Beach

I have owned the Olympus OMD-M-10 for about a year. I recently picked up the PEN e-5 off of Craigslist mainly because the camera came with two nice prime lenses. My intent was to keep the lenses and sell the camera body. But I want to make sure I am keeping the right camera. The main physical difference between the two is that the EM-10 has a built in electronic vewfinder. The Pen came with the optional remote mounted electronic viewfinder which seems to work well. When I am outdoors I almost always shoot with the viewfinder so I don't think carrying the Pen without one is a good option. And carrying the remote mounted VF is cumbersome and there is a good chance that I will lose it. Both of these cameras have the same 16mp sensor and similarly rated IQ.

But the Pen has a few performance advantages over the M-10. The main one is that the Pen has 5 axis image stabilization vs 3 axis for the M-10. I don't know enough about the differences in these though. I know that the main upgrade from the OMD-m-10 to the m-10 mark II was the 5 axis IS and Olympus made a big deal about it in their marketing. Any thoughts or experience on the difference?

The Pen also will shoot 9fps vs 8 for the M-10 and the Pen has a max shutter speed of 9000 vs 4000. I don't think either one of these are issues for me.

The M-10 has 81 focus points vs 31 for the Pen. The majority of my photography is of my kids and I use face detection a lot so I am not sure the number of focus points matter.

So at this point I am leaning towards selling the Pen because of the viewfinder issue, unless I can be enlightened on what I am giving up on the 5 axis vs 3 axis stabilization or anything else I am missing. Any thoughts are appreciated.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

You could consider selling both bodies and getting an OM-D E-M10 Mark II. Street price new is $500. KEH has used ones for about $418.

Chadp Loc: Virginia Beach

Thanks for the information. That would give me the best of both. But is the 5 axis IS over the 3 axis worth the extra money? That option would still increase my net out of pocket a couple hundred compared to just selling the Pen.

Jeffcs Loc: Myrtle Beach South Carolina

Sell them both and just grab the OMD EM1-mark2 simple problem solved

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Two stops slower hand-holding performance? Only you can decide that's a must-have. It depends on what you need to photograph.

chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

I agree it's one little beast of a camera!

drbilly

People who are telling you to get the em1 haven't responded to your needs. It is a great camera but MUCH more expensive. I like the idea of selling both your bodies for a refurbished em10 mark ii. I have found that the improved stabilization makes a significant difference

Jeffcs Loc: Myrtle Beach South Carolina

Drbilly
Suggestions only OP can make up their own mind
At one time the big two brought out new bodies about every 8-10 years and at that time the body only held the film and the lens witch made the photograph not withstanding the photographer whom with knowledge made the image but and that is a big but;
The bodies do so much more with each generation I only suggest newer stuff because the day you or I bring it home it is almost out of date
Sooooooo- why buy outdated equipment

Chadp Loc: Virginia Beach

Yeah. The EM-1 looks sweet. But I would have to decide to either raid tuition money for the two of my four kids in college or take diaper money from the two still in diapers. Neither are good choices since I had to sell my wife on the need for the EM-10 over a smartphone a year ago. Lol.

The Pen-F might be my future choice though at half the EM-1 price. But for now I am trying to decide if I can live without the viewfinder on the Pen-5 since it has the 5 axis IS and that seems to be a pretty substantial performance upgrade. I took some shots of the little ones outside yesterday and I am carrying it today. It's a nice bright cloudless day. So I will see if I can use the screen.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

Why not keep both and reap the benefits each one gives you.... use the pen as a street cam with a fast wide angle prime and the other as your normal carry ? It sound like you have not invested a fortune yet so reap the benefits of each. Sometimes the technicals will wear you out trying to make decisions... use both and have fun !

Jeffcs Loc: Myrtle Beach South Carolina

Reply to all inspite of my above post

I want to say only one thing and it holds true for ma as well

Never be a slave to equipment gathering

The best camera in the world is the one you have with you
Take pictures with it and enjoy what you have captured

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

I agree that the five axis system is the better of the two systems. The add-on viewfinder is OK if that is the only camera you have or are going to carry. You will benefit from gaining the newer technology of the E-M10 mrII unless you plan on doing a lot of street photography. If you do a lot of street phptography, then it would be worth your while to keep the PEN-5. It should be a somewhat easy jump going from the E-M10 to the E-M10 mrII. If you want to start weatherproofing your system, you can move up to the E-M5 mrII. But that might cost you more money than you will be willing to spend.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

true, the em1ii is expensive...however having just gotten back from my kids track and field day for school, I can officially say that C-af on the em1ii with low speed silent mode works like a dream. Shot all day on 1 battery with my 150f2 and 75f1.8.

As to your camera dilemma, 5 axis is better than 3, especially if you're going to use long lenses. However the original em5 is getting long in the tooth and is no longer supported with firmware updates. Sell em both and get the em5ii or em10ii...or splurge and get the em1ii

mffox Loc: Avon, CT

I have been using the EM-10 for 2+ years and am completely satisfied. I have looked at the PEN as a possible alternative, but the published advantages (in IS points, etc. don't seem to outweigh the EM-10 advantages. The EVF is the critical Plus.

Chadp Loc: Virginia Beach

Thanks for all of the input. After carrying the Pen yesterday, I decided that the viewfinder is a requirement. And since I don't want to carry the remote viewfinder, the Pen has to go. I was hoping I would be ok without the viewfinder because that camera feels great in my hand.

I think I will hang on to my EM10 for now. But I am going to keep a watch on the pricing of the EM10 M II or maybe even the Pen F when pricing drops or there are enough refurbished to lower pricing. I mainly shoot with the 25 mm 1.8 or 45 mm 1.8 and my hands are pretty steady. But I think the extra IS will be desired when my two younger kids get to the point of playing sports and I am using zoom lenses.